From Plan-Do-Check-Action to PIDCAM: the further evolution of the deming-wheel

Abstract The currently published Plan-Do-Check-Action (PDCA) models for cyclic control of projects or processes have some major drawbacks on aspects like showing timing and sequence of events. The Plan-Implement-Do-Check-Action (or Assess)-Management (PIDCAM) cycle newly developed in this paper is time dependent and does not suggest a sequential winding up of the PDCA cycle. The PIDCAM cycle is well suited to support the Goals-Means hierarchy of an organisation. This Goals-Means hierarchy can be constructed from elementary planning cells according to Hartmann's five laws of stratification. The PIDCAM cycle and the Goals-Means hierarchy are tools for diagnosis of organisations as well as for organisational development. Delegation of tasks with accessory responsibilities and competences to the lowest possible organizational gremia is a key issue in this matterabsaabsbs.